by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots, with four receivers on the injured list this week, have signed receiver Austin Collie, a person with knowledge of the transaction told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday.

The person requested anonymity because the team hasn't announced the deal.

Collie had been seeking a job for months as he tried to convince teams his concussion past is behind him. After being cut by the San Francisco 49ers at the end of training camp, he worked out for several teams, including the Patriots and Tennessee Titans.

In an interview with USA TODAY Sports last spring, Collie said he would "sign a waiver" to exempt any team that signed him from legal repercussions if he suffered another concussion while playing in the NFL.

Collie, 27, was limited to one game during the 2012 season due to a ruptured patellar tendon. But concussions issues in recent seasons have been the scary factor for teams. Collie tried to persuade them to take a chance.

"I'll sign a waiver, all right?" he said. "They're not going to have to worry about me suing. I'll hold myself to be accountable."

Collie had 172 catches during his first three NFL seasons, all with the Colts. His best season came as a rookie in 2009, when he had 60 catches for 676 yards while Peyton Manning was the quarterback.

The opportunity could be a showcase of sorts for Collie, who might be only a short-term fix for the Patriots as they wait for receiver Danny Amendola and tight end Rob Gronkowski to return from injuries.

By getting on the field and contributing â?? and proving he can take a hit â?? Collie might convince another team to sign him if the Patriots cut him loose.